An Garda Síochána is considering methods of measuring the performance of gardaí in different divisions of the force in a move which will reveal the best and worst divisions in the State. Conor Lally reports.
The plans form part of the force's corporate strategy for the next three years which also includes a series of measures to tackle, among other issues, public order on the streets and more effective traffic management.
An Garda Síochána Corporate Strategy 2005-2007 identifies improving public confidence as one of the force's main goals for the period.
It aims to devise mechanisms allowing for more feedback from members of the public and to identify strategies which will improve standards and, in doing so, reduce the number of complaints against members of the force.
As part of the new drive to improve public confidence, Garda managers are to be given training in "measurement systems". These systems, while not devised yet, would be "results based".
A spokesman for the force said they would go beyond "mere financial management", adding they would be developed in consultation with the public and would be made available to the public.
The corporate strategy also contains a commitment to introduce public attitude surveys at divisional level. These will be made publicly available, the spokesman said.
Previously while public attitudes to the force have been measured by way of a national survey, no divisional breakdown has ever been given.
This has made it impossible to identify where public confidence in the Garda is at its highest and lowest.
In an effort to control public order issues around the State, each Garda division will now be required to draw up a "public order plan" which will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
There will also be a public order unit in each Garda division with specially trained officers equipped with riot gear.
These plans will be much easier to implement following the major public order operation put in place last May for the celebrations in Dublin marking the accession into the EU of 10 new member-states. More than 1,000 gardaí were given special public order training for the May Day weekend and the force invested heavily in buying modern riot gear.
In an attempt to reduce road fatalities and collisions, gardaí will consult with the public and crash victims on matters of local interest. Each Garda division's performance on traffic management will be reviewed by senior management on a monthly basis.
Gardaí will be provided with in-service training on new traffic legislation and greater links will be fostered between the force and the Department of Transport, the National Roads Authority and other relevant agencies.
Greater ethnic and cultural diversity within the force has also been identified as a strategic goal over the next three years. Liaison officers are to be used to develop relationships with ethnic communities. Satisfaction levels with gardaí within those communities will also be measured.
Data on trends relating to racially motivated crime will also be compiled and published in the annual report of An Garda Síochána. The corporate strategy also contains a commitment to explore mechanisms to attract members of ethnic minority communities into the force.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, has already indicated that the requirement for entry into the force of senior certificate Irish would likely be waived in an effort not to exclude members of ethnic communities.